Taming the Demon: A Guide to Raising a Great Sage
Chapter 235 234, Golden Goddess Super Evolution!
Chapter 235 234, Golden Goddess Super Evolution!
"Shen Wu, this is Chief Shen Lang, Chief Shen of the God Detective Hall. Hurry up and greet Chief Shen."
Hearing Sect Master Zhou's words, the tall and heroic disciple Shen Wu was slightly startled, and bowed to Shen Lang:
"Shen Wu pays homage to Shen Butou. Shen Butou's reputation is as powerful as thunder, and seeing him today, his reputation is indeed well-deserved."
Prestige like thunder?
Dude, is it already famous all over the world?
Well, that should be it.
After He Wei and Feng Wei heard my name clearly, they were so frightened that they knelt down.
When the head of Zhou heard that I was coming to visit, he hurriedly took eight elders out to greet me, as if he was being raided by a big leader.
But judging from the reactions of He Wei, Feng Wei, Zhou Zhangmen and others, the reputation of my buddy is probably not very benevolent...
Shen Lang murmured in his heart, glanced at Shen Wu's expression and posture, and thought to himself:
I Shen Butou shocked the world, He and Feng were scared to kneel by my name, the head of Zhou was also a little too enthusiastic, and this kid Shen Wu claimed to be "like a thunderbolt" to my prestige, but his expression did not change, he was calm and calm. nothing……
Is it because he was the fool who dared to climb the iron chain and cross the Baizhang deep gorge when he was 13 years old?
Or, he doesn't do anything wrong and isn't afraid of ghosts knocking on the door?
or……
Has he been mentally prepared for the arrival of the head-hunter of the God-Catching Hall?
Now Shen Lang is also like an old catcher, beginning to habitually doubt everything, just because Shen Wu was too calm when facing him, he had some doubts in his heart, but of course his face remained calm, he only smiled slightly, said:
"You don't need to be too polite. Brother Shen is indeed the head disciple of the Wind Chaser Sect, and he really has the air of a master of Yuan Ting Yue Zhi."
Shen Wu said in a deep voice:
"Shen Butou should not be praised. Shen Butou is powerful in the world and famous all over the world. Who dares to boast of being a master in front of Shen Butou?"
Shen Lang chuckled, stopped talking nonsense, and went straight to the point:
"I came here today because I have a case that I need to ask your faction to assist in the investigation. Brother Shen, Cheng Xin, and Guan Yue, are you familiar with it?"
Shen Wudao:
"Of course. Junior Brother Cheng and Junior Sister Guan went to the mountain to learn art six years ago. Back then, I was responsible for receiving the junior juniors who were newcomers, so I got to know them. Afterwards, we often have contacts in the mountain gate."
Shen Lang nodded and asked again:
"Cheng Xin and Guan Yue graduated from Yicheng in July last year. They advanced to work in the Escort Bureau under the name of Chasing Fengpai. After finding a better way, they resigned from the Escort Bureau and went to work in Tongshan County. I heard that the way of Tongshan County , you introduced it?"
Shen Wu answered honestly:
"Junior Brother Cheng and Junior Sister Guan have been farmers for generations, but they don't have any land. They have to rent the land of a big family and are exploited by the big family. They each have several younger brothers and sisters, and their families are very poor.
"They work in the Escort Bureau under the name of my faction. Although they have no worries about food and clothing and can save some money, but if they want their parents, siblings to live a good life, it will not be possible in three to five years. So I Introduced them to a new job."
Shen Lang's heart moved, and he asked:
"It's not that they begged you to help them find a way out, but you took the initiative to introduce them to errands?"
Shen Wu said calmly:
"As the head disciple, it is my duty to help the younger brothers and younger sisters."
Hearing his words, all the elders nodded one after another, showing their approval.
Although the master Zhou didn't have any expression on his face, there was a hint of complacency in his eyes. Some of his disciples were fighting for their spirits, and I always felt a sense of comfort.
Shen Lang remained calm and said lightly:
"What errand did you introduce them to Tongshan County?"
Shen Wudao:
"It was to introduce them to work in the mine of Hu Yuanwai's family in Tongshan County..."
There have been many copper mines in Tongshan County since ancient times, and they have not been mined until today.
Of course, after many years of mining, the mines that are easy to mine have been excavated. The remaining mines are mostly in the deep mountains and old forests. monster.
From time to time, bandits and thieves fled the mountains.
The government thought that the mining costs of those mines were too high, so they outsourced them to the big households in Tongshan County.
Shen Wu happened to know a big family surnamed Hu who contracted the mine, so he introduced Cheng Xin and Guan Yue to work in the past, mainly responsible for maintaining the safety of the mining area, expelling strange beasts and monsters, and preventing bandits.
Although the work is a bit hard and dangerous, but the income is many times higher than working in the bodyguard bureau.
Cheng Xin and Guan Yue were very satisfied with this job, and they went to Tongshan County to work in September last year.
After listening to Shen Wu's narration, Shen Lang asked again:
"How did brother Shen get to know that member Hu?"
Shen Wudao: "This matter is quite a coincidence..."
Listening to his narration, his experience of getting acquainted with Yuanwai Hu was not an ordinary coincidence, but so coincidental that it was like a story in a storybook.
The year before last, Shen Wu traveled down the mountain, passing through Tongshan County, and met a flower picker who wanted to plot against a young girl.
There were a few guards beside the girl, but they were all mediocre in martial arts, so they were easily brought down by the flower picker.
However, when the flower picker was about to drag the girl into the grove to do whatever he wanted, Shen Wu, who happened to pass by, bumped into him, defeated the flower picker with several tricks, and saved the girl.
And that girl is the daughter of Hu Yuan's family in Tongshan County.
Shen Wu is tall and heroic, with extraordinary demeanor and strong martial arts. Although he was originally from a bad background, he is the head disciple of the largest sect in Wuyang Prefecture, and he will inherit the mantle of the sect in the future. It's low.
So when Shen Wu sent the flower picker to the Tongshan county government office and escorted Miss Hu's family back home, member Hu treated him very warmly, and his words seemed to mean marrying a daughter.
But Shen Wu was already at the fifth rank of martial arts at that time, and he was concentrating on attacking the fourth rank, and traveling down the mountain was also to accumulate for the attack on the fourth rank.Therefore, Yuanwai Hu's kindness was declined.
Hu Yuanwai is also open-minded, he didn't become angry because of this, and still regarded Shen Wu as a great benefactor.
With this level of relationship, Shen Wu handwritten a letter, introducing Cheng Xin and Guan Yue to work in the Hu family's mine, and Hu Yuanwai made arrangements readily.
After listening to this introduction, Shen Lang nodded calmly and asked:
"When will the Hu family mine be on vacation before the Chinese New Year? When will it resume work after the new year?"
Shen Wu slightly hesitated:
"This... I don't know how the Hu family mines take their holidays during the New Year's Eve. However, according to the customs of the prefecture, folk workshops, factories and mines, they usually have 25 days off before the beginning of the year, and they will not go to work until the tenth day of the Lunar New Year."
Shen Lang stroked his chin, thoughtfully.
He and his elder sister returned to the capital from Xianwu Mountain, and found the victim of the Four-winged Demon Owl on the way, it was the sixth day of the Lunar New Year.Judging from the condition of Cheng Xin's and Guan Yue's bodies, they had not died for more than two days, so they must have been killed on the fourth or fifth day of the lunar new year.
If Tongshan County's New Year's customs are the same as those in Fucheng, then Cheng Xin and Guan Yue should have celebrated the New Year at their respective homes when they were killed.
But Venerable Liuli concluded that they last appeared in Tongshan County.
In other words, Cheng Xin and Guan Yue didn't go home during the Chinese New Year vacation, but were still stranded in Tongshan County?
However, judging from the family backgrounds of Cheng and Guan, and their eagerness to help and improve their families, during the Chinese New Year, they should bring home the salary they earned last year, so that the family can have a good year.
So, Cheng and Guan went home to celebrate the new year, and they couldn't wait to return to Tongshan County on the first and second day of the new year?
After pondering for a while, Shen Lang looked at Shen Wu and said:
"Brother Shen, do you know where Cheng Xin's and Guan Yue's are?"
Shen Wu nodded:
"I know. It's in Pingpo Township, less than fifty miles away from Fucheng."
"Okay then, please ask Brother Shen to accompany me to Pingpo Township." Shen Lang stood up and looked at Sect Leader Zhou: "Sect Leader Zhou, it's okay to borrow your eldest disciple to help me investigate the case, right?"
The head of Zhou also got up quickly, smiling all over his face:
"Of course there is no problem. It is Shen Wu's blessing to assist Shen Butou in investigating the case."
Shen Lang bowed his hands to the head of Zhou:
"That's it, thank you, head of Zhou, for your kind hospitality. Mr. Shen is busy with business, so I won't bother you, and I will leave."
After finishing speaking, he bowed his hands to the elders and strode out of the door.
Head Zhou and all the elders hurriedly got up to see him off, not only sent him out of the mountain gate lobby, but also sent him all the way to the cable bridge in the deep gorge, and even wanted to send him down the mountain, but Shen Lang repeatedly discouraged him. Only then stopped in front of the cable bridge and watched Shen Lang and Shen Wu cross the bridge and leave.
After the two disappeared, an elder whispered:
"Master, Shen Wu is assisting Chief Shen in handling the case this time, if he can be favored by Chief Shen, he will join the Hall of Gods..."
Head Zhou put his hands behind his back and said lightly:
"Join the Shenchuitang? Shenchuitang has a very good reputation among the common people, but in the Jianghu martial arts world, it has a mixed reputation. As for the officialdom... Hey, that's a god-hating ghost! It is said that even the emperor doesn't like to see him." them.
"After entering the God's Catch Hall, don't even think about being promoted and making a fortune. Bloody winds and cold swords are always by your side. In short, those who can continue to work in the God's Catch Hall are not normal people."
The foreign affairs elder sighed:
"The leader is right. Many people in Jianghu said that all the people in God's Catch Hall are lunatics. But there are also many people in Jianghu who say that everyone in God's Catch Hall is a hero. As for Who are they, then the beholder sees benevolence, and the wise see wisdom."
Master Zhou chuckled:
"In short, Shen Wu is neither a madman, nor can he be a hero like everyone in the God of Catching Hall. Occasionally encountering a rough road, reaching out to do something good is already very good.
"Let's don't think about getting in touch with God's Catching Hall. When Yan Tianying, the 'leader of the heroes', is here, God's Catching Hall will naturally be majestic, but what if Yan Tianying ascends in the future?
"Without Yan Tianying, relying on the three evil stars... oh, now there are the four evil stars. With the four evil stars alone, the Shenchuitang can still withstand the hatred of the civil and military courts, and even the nobles of the royal family. Will it continue to exist? I see Xuan!"
……
Shen Lang and Shen Wu performed lightness kung fu and quickly descended Xiaoyue Mountain, and then headed towards Pingpo Township under Shen Wu's lead.
On the way, Shen Wu asked:
"Catcher Shen, what happened to my Junior Brother Cheng and Junior Sister Guan?"
Shen Lang said lightly:
"They are dead."
"Dead?" Shen Wu was startled, and lost his voice: "How could this be?"
He asked again in an almost questioning tone:
"How did they die? But killed? Who killed them?"
Shen Lang glanced at Shen Wu out of the corner of his eye, and said in a flat tone:
"I'm checking."
"..."
Shen Wu's face was ugly, he was silent for a while, and then said shyly:
"Sorry, Chief Shen, Shen lost his composure."
Shen Lang's tone was calm, without any disturbance:
"It doesn't matter, it's human nature for Brother Shen to lose his composure because of the murder of a sibling from the same sect."
Shen Wu was silent for a while, and said:
"Junior Brother Cheng and Junior Sister Guan were murdered, Yuanwai Hu didn't tell me."
Shen Lang said lightly:
"If Tongshan County didn't resume work until the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, Cheng and Guan should have been on a New Year's holiday when they were killed. Today is only the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, and it is not yet the day to resume work. The Hu family may not know that Cheng The official and the official have been killed and disappeared."
Shen Wu asked:
"Where were Junior Brother Cheng and Junior Sister Guan killed? Why did they alarm the Hall of Gods?"
The manpower of Shenzhutang is extremely limited, so ordinary homicide cases are basically only handled in the nearest capital city.
Ordinary homicides in the locality generally do not involve the God of Labor.
When the head catchers of the Shenchuitang come out of Beijing, it is basically because of a major case, or some vicious, cruel and cunning criminals who cannot be determined in the place of arrest.
For a local sect like the Wind Chasing Sect, two ordinary disciples died, and the case could reach the government office level at most.
Recently, the "Cold-Blooded Rentu", who has become famous in the Jianghu, went to Beijing to investigate the murder of Cheng Xin and Guan Yue. Shen Wu felt that this case might not be simple.
"The case is confidential, so it's inconvenient to say it clearly."
Shen Lang said lightly:
"As for why the Shencatching Hall was alarmed, I can only say that it coincided with the meeting."
Shen Wu sighed and said:
"Junior brother and younger sister were murdered, and I felt grief and indignation in my heart. I took the liberty to inquire about the secrets, and hoped that Shen catcher Haihan."
"It's nothing. Brother Shen has a deep brotherhood, how can Shen blame him?"
After chatting casually along the way, Shen Lang fell silent and concentrated on his journey.
Shen Wu has a fourth-rank entry-level cultivation, and is a disciple of the head of the Chasing Wind School who specializes in lightness kung fu and legwork. Cheng Xinjia.
Cheng Xin's house is a small farmyard surrounded by woods, with earthen walls, thatched roofs, and bamboo fences. It looks really poor.
When Shen Lang followed Shen Wu to the outside of the yard, a little girl with slightly dark skin and a thin body, wearing a brand new large red padded jacket and tied with a red string, was feeding chickens in the yard.
When she saw Shen Lang through the fence, the little girl's eyes clearly showed a hint of timidity, but when she saw Shen Wu, she suddenly became happy, put down the dustpan and came to open the door:
"Brother, why are you here?"
Shen Wu introduced to Shen Lang:
"This is Cheng Xin's younger sister, Cheng Qiao'er. I have visited here twice with Cheng Xin before. The Cheng family members all recognize me, and Cheng Xin's younger siblings also call me Senior Brother."
While speaking, Cheng Qiaoer had come over and opened the courtyard door, welcomed Shen Wu and Shen Lang in enthusiastically, then ran to the front of the main room and shouted:
"Father, Mother, Second Brother, Third Brother, Second Sister, Senior Brother is here!"
Soon, the door of the main room was opened, and a large family came out, all wearing brand new padded jackets, but two thin boys who looked thirteen, fourteen, twelve or thirteen, and a thin girl of fourteen or fifteen , The padded jackets on her body are all one size too big.
Cheng Xin's parents were honest old farmers, and they would kowtow to Shen Wu when they came out.
Shen Wu quickly helped him up, and said repeatedly:
"No way! Junior brother Cheng and I are of the same generation, uncles and aunts are my elders, how dare I accept such a great gift?"
With wrinkled face, dark skin, and gray hair, Father Cheng, who looked like a little old man in his 60s, was speechless.The same old, but more eloquent mother Cheng said gratefully:
"Thanks to the big brother who found a good way for Xin'er and made a lot of money, our family can pay off the loan. After a good year, we made new cotton clothes for the second and third children, and ate pork dumplings. ...
"If there is no elder brother's kindness, how can our family live such a good life? The elder brother is my family's great benefactor, and I have to kowtow to the elder brother! The second, the third, Li'er, Qiao'er, why don't you give it to the elder brother?" Brother kowtow?"
The little ones hurriedly accepted their heads and bowed. Shen Wu hurriedly waved his hand, and lifted them up with an invisible wave of air. With complicated eyes, he forced a smile and said:
"You don't have to be so polite...I, I just happened to pass by Pingpo Township, so I stopped by to see you. Where's Cheng Xin? It's Chinese New Year, why isn't he at home?"
Mother Cheng smiled and said:
"Xin'er only came home on the 28th of last year. He helped pay off the debts, bought new year's goods, put up the fence, mended the roof, and went out on the first day of the new year."
Shen Wuqi said:
"Go out on the first day of junior high school? Why do you have to leave so early?"
Mother Cheng replied:
"Xin'er said that the boss will start work on the second day of junior high school, so he has to go to work earlier. Although he said that it is a bit unreasonable to start work on the New Year's Eve, but the salary offered by the boss is generous. During the New Year's Day, the daily salary is [-]% Three times the usual amount, Xin'er wants to earn more money and build a big house for the family..."
Speaking of this, a proud smile appeared on her face, but her eyes were a little red, and there were faint tears in the corners of her eyes. It was obvious that she was not only proud of Da'er's sensible and capable, but also felt sorry for Da'er's hard work.
With Shen Lang's soft heart, he couldn't bear to watch this scene, so he turned and left the yard.
Shen Wu also smiled very reluctantly, his voice was a little weak, and he tried to talk to Cheng's mother who didn't know anything.
Shen Lang walked out of the fenced yard, turned his back to the gate of Cheng's courtyard, and raised his eyes to look at the mountains in the distance. The voice of Shen Wu talking to Cheng's mother from behind came to his ears from time to time.
"Eldest brother, that senior...why did he go out? But we neglected him?"
When she said this, Cheng Mu's voice sounded a little panicked.
"No. That Brother Shen is not from our wind chasing faction, but a friend I met in Jianghu. I don't know Junior Brother Cheng... He is a bit cold-tempered, or he can't stand your enthusiasm, haha, actually I don't know I can't stand it...By the way, did Cheng Xin come back with Guan Yue?"
"That's right. Xin'er and Yue'er came back together, and they also left together. The official's side, thanks to the elder brother's blessing, paid off the debts, bought new year's goods, and everyone, big and small, put on new clothes. The two of them went up to the mountain to study art together, and they also came out to do things together after they were successful... We discussed it with the old man from the official family. At the end of this year, when they go home for the New Year, they will take care of their affairs..."
Hearing this, Shen Lang couldn't help walking a little further.
After a while, Cheng's father, Cheng's mother, and Cheng's younger brothers and sisters came from behind to stay:
"Eldest brother, let's go after dinner! Today we will eat leek pork dumplings, and pancakes with meat..."
"Brother, don't go, tell us the story of martial arts."
"Brother, this is the handkerchief I embroidered..."
When Shen Wu bid farewell to the Cheng family, he still had a smile on his face, but as soon as he left the sight of everyone in the Cheng family and came to Shen Lang's side, the smile on his face disappeared without a trace, and he said in a dark voice:
"Shen Butou, I have a merciless request..."
Shen Lang said lightly:
"Since it's an unfeeling request, don't say it."
Shen Wu was stunned, a flash of anger flashed in his eyes:
"I just want to avenge my younger brothers and younger sisters. Why is Catcher Shen so unkind? You've seen it too, the Cheng family..."
"You don't need to say more." Shen Lang interrupted him, with a calm face and a flat tone: "You can't afford to meddle in the case that the Shenchaotang intervened, and you can't afford to meddle with the entire Wind Chaser."
"..."
Shen Wu clenched his hands into fists, his eyes were red, he gritted his teeth for a while, and finally sighed dejectedly, and said sadly:
"Shen Butou is right, I have overestimated my capabilities."
Shen Lang raised his hand and patted his shoulder:
"Don't be depressed. Assisting me in investigating the case and finding clues is also avenging Cheng Xin and Guan Yue."
Shen Wu nodded, raised his hand to wipe his face, pulled himself together, and said:
"Do you want to go to the official's house next?"
In fact, during this trip to Cheng's house, he had already asked Shen Lang what he wanted to know.
But in order to ensure that the news was correct, Shen Lang followed Shen Wu to the official's house and saw a scene he couldn't bear to see.
The news from the official family was the same as that of the Cheng family. Guan Yue went out on the first day of the Lunar New Year and returned to Tongshan County with Cheng Xin to start work.
When he left the official residence, Shen Wu's face became more gloomy, and his eyes became more depressed.
Shen Lang didn't say anything, he left Pingpo Township and headed towards Tongshan County.
Shen Wu followed silently for a while, then suddenly said:
"Boss Shen, I think there is something wrong with the Hu family."
"Oh? What do you think?"
"I entrusted Cheng Xin and Guan Yue to Hu Yuanwai, and Hu Yuanwai also promised to take good care of them, but since the work started in the second day of junior high school, Junior Brother Cheng and Junior Sister Guan should have returned to Tongshan long ago. They were killed, and Hu Why didn't the staff know me?"
"The bodies of Cheng and Guan are not in Tongshan County."
"But that's also missing! Member Hu should inform me!"
"It may also be that they just returned to Tongshan County, and they disappeared on the way before entering the mine to report. Mr. Hu didn't know that the two of them had returned to Tongshan."
Although Cheng and Guan died on the fourth or fifth day of the lunar new year, it doesn't mean that they disappeared on those two days.
It may also be that he was taken away when he returned to Tongshan on the first day of the new year, locked up for a few days, and was not fed to the four-winged owl until the fourth or fifth day of the new year.
"But the two of them didn't go to work in the second day of junior high school. Don't Hu Yuanwai think it's strange?"
"Maybe it's because they went to work during the New Year's Eve, all voluntarily? They didn't go to work. Mr. Hu thought they wanted to spend the New Year with their families and didn't want to earn three times the salary? And now it's not the day to start work normally, Mr. Hu thought Are they still celebrating the New Year at home?"
"What Shen Butou means is that there is nothing wrong with Mr. Hu?"
As Shen Lang hurried on his way like lightning, he said lightly:
"No, I'm just listing the possibilities."
Is Mr. Hu suspected?
The suspicion is too great!
Ke Shenwu is also suspected.
But Shen Lang would not arbitrarily conclude that there was something wrong with Shen Wu, he also had to list out various possibilities to rule out Shen Wu's suspicion.
"When I arrived in Tongshan County, I personally went to question Yuanwai Hu. If he has any questions, just ask!"
"No. Let's not go to Yuanwai Hu."
Shen Wu was stunned: "Why?"
Shen Lang said: "If he insists that he didn't see Cheng Xin and Guan Yue, how will you treat him?"
Shen Wu refused to accept: "He is an ordinary person, how dare he lie in front of us? Even if he lies, he will never be able to hide it from me!"
Ordinary people lie, even if they don't change their face, their heartbeat and pulse will change.
With the entry-level martial arts cultivation base of the fourth grade of Shenwu, it is impossible to hide the subtle changes in the heartbeat and pulse of ordinary people under his concentrated perception.
Shen Lang said lightly: "If he was really related to the deaths of Cheng Xin and Guan Yue, then he would not be an ordinary person."
If Hu Yuanwai is related to the deaths of Cheng and Guan, then he is related to the murderer who raised the Four-winged Demon Owl. How could he be just an ordinary person?
Shen Wu was at a loss for words for a moment, fell silent for a while, and said in a muffled voice:
"If we don't ask Mr. Hu to question, we went to Tongshan, where should we start?"
Shen Lang said: "Go to the Hu family mine first. Do you know where the Hu family mine is?"
"The year before last, I rescued Miss Hu's family. When I was drinking and chatting with member Hu, I heard him mention it. But I only know the approximate location."
"It's good to know the approximate location. It's such a big mine, it's not difficult to find. It starts on the second day of the Lunar New Year... Heh, the miners earn all their lives. They work hard in the mine for a whole year with their heads in their hands, and they finally make money. , It’s the time to reunite with your family, rest and relax, and enjoy the harvest of the year, but you are willing to give up your annual leave and start working early? How much is three times the daily salary?”
Shen Wu's expression changed:
"What Shen Butou means is... the miners are not free agents?"
Shen Lang said lightly: "Maybe."
At dusk, the two rushed to Tongshan County, and first walked around the county.
After visiting the county seat, the two left the county seat and went into the mountains in the dark.
On the way, Shen Lang asked Shen Wu:
"How do you feel about Tongshan County?"
Shen Wudao:
"Clean and tidy. The streets are a bit colder, but it's normal. Today is only the seventh day of the Lunar New Year. There are many fewer people on the streets of Fucheng than usual, let alone a small county town?"
Shen Lang said:
"Didn't you feel that there is something missing in the urban wells of Tongshan County?"
"What's missing?" Shen Wu frowned and pondered for a while, then suddenly he had a flash of inspiration: "That's right! There are almost no beggars and refugees on the streets of the county town!"
Normally, however, this is not possible.
Every time around the New Year’s Eve, a large number of peasants would be forced to sell their sons and daughters because they could not pay their debts, and even their house land would be confiscated, reducing them to beggars and refugees.
This situation was only less in the 20 years before the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Twenty years after the founding of the Great Chu, such situations have become more and more common, and it is not uncommon to see them now.
Shen Wu was a refugee beggar, and he knew very well that a large number of bankrupt farmers would join the ranks of beggars and refugees during the Spring Festival.
During the Chinese New Year, there are a lot of leftovers from rich families, and the tattered clothes have to be cleaned up.Some rich families even steam steamed white flour steamed buns and distribute them to beggars.
Therefore, in the city, near the streets and alleys where rich families live, there are often many beggars and refugees gathering, waiting for opportunities.
But this Tongshan County is too strange.
Didn't see any beggars and refugees?
"In places like Tongshan County where there are many mines, there are no beggars and refugees on the streets."
Shen Lang smiled and said:
"Those who dare to go to the mine to work their lives will take the initiative to find work in the mine. Those who dare not go to the mine will be forced to go to the mine. The most wonderful thing is that no matter whether they are voluntary or not, as long as they go to the mine, they can squeeze as much as they want. There is no need to pay, let alone New Year's Eve. Who told them to be beggars and refugees without roots?"
Not to mention using beggars and refugees as mine slaves, even foreigners from good families, or even locals with no background, may be abducted or even forced to become mine slaves if they run into black kilns.
This kind of thing is not uncommon even on the earth in the 21st century, let alone this different world in the era of imperial power?
The corners of Shen Wu's eyes twitched slightly, he hesitated to speak.
Shen Lang glanced at him and said lightly:
"Are you thinking that Cheng Xin and Guan Yue went to work in the mine, not as they said, but to drive away wild beasts, fierce beasts, and bandits? There are also tasks to suppress and guard the miners? Are they doing things for tigers? Introducing them When you went to work in the mine, you also indirectly helped the tiger?"
Shen Wu was silent for a while, and said in a muffled voice:
"Catcher Shen is as sharp as a torch. I really... didn't expect such a possibility. But Junior Brother Cheng and Junior Sister Guan are honest people, how could it be..."
Shen Lang said leisurely:
"I remember, Cheng's mother said something, she said that Cheng Xin 'made a lot of money'. Cheng Xin only went to work in the mine in September, right? When he returned home before the Chinese New Year, he worked hard for only three months.
"Even if Hu Yuanwai looks at your face and pays him a very high salary, how do you start with 'making a lot of money'? You can pay off the loan, buy new year's goods, and even plan to save money to repair the big house..."
Shen Wu said:
"Uncles and aunts of the Cheng family have never seen money much in their entire lives. To them... a few hundred coppers may be a lot of money, and ten silver dollars may be a huge sum of money... Tenant borrowing, even if it is a donkey rolling, how much can they owe?" money?
"I really have to owe a lot of money. Cheng Xin's younger brothers and sisters have already been sold. The new year's purchases... are just some padded jackets and pork... Besides, the big house, the farmer's repair of the big house, doesn't cost much money. ..."
Shen Lang smiled and patted Shen Wu on the shoulder:
"You are a good big brother. But there are some things that cannot be explained in this way.
"Do you think that the Cheng family must sell their sons and daughters because they owe the donkey to roll? You are wrong. The eldest son of the Cheng family is practicing martial arts in the Chasing Wind Sect, and he still does not have to pay tuition fees, and he has become a disciple of true martial arts. With Cheng Xin here, the Cheng family The debt will be repaid sooner or later.
"The creditor is eager for the Cheng family to borrow more debts and pay more interest. How can he kill chickens and get eggs? He is so eager to drag Cheng Xin's younger brothers and sisters to pay off the debts? Not to mention not making much money, but also offending a disciple of the Wind Chaser Sect. Why bother?" what?
"Let's talk about the 'big house'. Do you think what Cheng Xin wants to build is an ordinary big house with earthen walls, or a deep house with green bricks and green tiles, and a deep courtyard in Shishi town gate?"
Shen Wu's head was covered with cold sweat, and he said in a low voice:
"I, I don't know..."
Shen Lang smiled again:
"What I'm talking about is just a possibility. Maybe things are not as I said. Maybe Cheng Xin and Guan Yue are just guarding against wild beasts and bandits in the mine. For the specific situation, wait until the mine and see for yourself. to be sure."
Shen Wu remained silent, but he believed Shen Lang's conjecture [-] to [-]% in his heart.
After walking forward in the mountains for a while, Shen Wu suddenly said:
"If Junior Brother Cheng and Junior Sister Guan are really working for tigers...Why does Catcher Shen work so hard to investigate the death of the two of them?"
"One yard owned by a yard."
Shen Lang said lightly:
"Even if Cheng Xin and Guan Yue did something wrong as I speculated, they are at most just accomplices. They are still young and their participation time is short, at most three months. As long as they don't kill innocent miners indiscriminately, they are not guilty of capital crimes." , there is room for redemption, and they should be given a chance to reform. If so, they should not die for no reason."
Especially if someone fed it to monsters and was hit by Shen Lang, then he must take care of it to the end.
After hearing Shen Lang's words, Shen Wu couldn't help being a little surprised:
Chief Shen, you are a famous "cold-blooded butcher". It is said that if you fall into your hands, if you can get a whole corpse, it is considered that your ancestors have accumulated great virtues. Do you want to be so hearted as a bodhisattva?
Or is it that the title "Cold-Blooded Human Massacre" is just a smear by his enemies?
It's just that those who are not righteous, have ghosts in their hearts, and fear the gods, are spreading rumors and slandering?
Anyway, Shen Wu had been in contact with Shen Lang for most of the day, so he didn't believe the rumors about Shen Lang's "cold blood".
How could a cold-blooded person rush from the capital to Wuyang Mansion for two people who had nothing to do with him, go to Xiaoyue Mountain without even eating a meal, and then rush to the countryside to investigate?
When it was over, I didn't even drink tea, so I walked for more than 100 miles, and then came to Tongshan County. I walked around the county town without eating a meal or drinking a glass of wine, and went straight out of the city and into the mountains in the dark?
Is this a cold-blooded person?
This is clearly a chivalrous man who is eager for justice!
It's no wonder that although many people in the Jianghu said that God's Catching Church is full of lunatics and ruthless evil stars, there are also many people who praise God's Catching Church as a hero, and the reputation of the people is overwhelmingly praised.
With a headhunter like Shen Lang who is anxious and righteous, Shen Wu almost knows what the quality of the Shencatching Hall is.
Exercising lightness kung fu in the mountains and forests, and walking through the dark for half an hour, the two of them had gone deep into the deep mountains and old forests.
At this time, Shen Wu suddenly pointed to a mountain and said:
"Iron Helmet Mountain! The Hu Family Mine is nearby."
Shen Lang raised his eyes and saw that the top of the mountain looked like a pair of pointed helmets. Even in the night, the shape was very obvious and could be recognized at a glance.
"There is no cattle and horse road in the mountains here. The Hu family should have transported the mine out by boat. If you find the river, you can find the Hu family's mine."
Soon, the two found a small river with a width of more than three feet and a depth of about seven feet. They followed the small river for a while and found a wharf piled with a large amount of ore.
There are only ores around the pier, and there are no ships, so no one is guarding it. The two left the pier and walked along a concave track for a while, before they came to a valley.
There is a small castle built in Taniguchi, the lights are bright inside, and the noise of people can be heard faintly. It sounds like several people are playing games and drinking.
Shen Lang lightly tapped the center of his eyebrows, scanned the small castle and its vicinity with mental power, and said lightly:
"There are people in the building. There are five people in total, all of whom are warriors, three of the seventh rank and two of the sixth rank."
Shen Wu glanced at Shen Lang in astonishment, it was still about ten feet away, everyone was in the building, and no one could see their shadows, it was no problem for Shen Butou to find out their number, but he actually judged it instantly Has their martial arts cultivation been compromised?
It is indeed a "cold-blooded slaughter" worth as much as 20 silver dollars on the black market!
Secretly admiring this young arrester who was several years younger than himself, Shen Wu said in a low voice:
"Do you want to restrain those five people?"
"No. There is no need to alarm them, we will sneak in directly."
Shen Lang said softly, just about to step in, when he suddenly stopped.
Shen Wu hurriedly asked: "Catcher Shen, but what's wrong?"
Shen Lang shook his head: "Someone is coming to find me, let's go back to the pier first."
As he spoke, he waved his hand, turned around and returned the same way.
Shen Wu only felt that when Shen Lang raised his hand, it seemed to release something, but even with his eyesight he couldn't see what it was, only felt that it seemed to be a translucent shadow.
He didn't dare to ask what Shen Lang had released, so he quickly followed and said softly:
"Is the person here also an expert from the God of Catching Hall?"
A smile appeared on the corner of Shen Lang's mouth:
"Yes, someone taller than me."
The sword talisman on his body was vibrating and heating up, counting the time, at this time, it should be Mu Qingxue who contacted him with Wanfa's sword talisman.
And Shen Wu heard that another expert who was taller than Shen Toutou came, and he was awe-inspiring, but he also felt that the deaths of Cheng Xin and Guan Yue were not simple. Fengpai can't afford it either.
He didn't ask who came, and followed Shen Lang back to the pier, and saw Shen Lang take out a sword-shaped jade talisman with a faint white light, looked down for a while, put the jade talisman away, and went to the edge of the pier He found a stone and sat down, smiled and said to him:
"Sit down and rest for a while, and you have to wait for half an hour."
Shen Wu sat down as he said.
Shen Lang took out another gourd, and threw a stack of pancakes with meat to him:
"Follow me to the present, and I haven't had any water or rice for most of the day. Brother Shen is also working hard. Eat and drink first to fill your stomach."
Shen Wu didn't know where he got these things from, and he didn't dare to ask more. He took the gourd and pancakes, thanked them, and started to eat and drink.
Shen Lang also took out a wine gourd, a stack of pancakes with meat, ate a piece of cake, and took a sip of wine.
After eating and drinking enough, he meditated and adjusted his breath for a while. Suddenly, Shen Lang raised his head and looked into the sky.
Shen Wu also looked into the sky with him, and saw a golden shooting star flashing across the night sky.
Then, the meteor became bigger and bigger, and it fell straight towards where he and Shen Lang were.
Shen Wu was startled, and shouted in a low voice: "There is a meteorite!"
Just as he was about to dodge, he saw Shen Lang motionless, with a smile on his lips, looking at the meteor that was getting closer.
Shen Wu is a bold person, seeing Shen Lang not moving, he knew that this "falling stone" might be different from what he had imagined, so he was not in a hurry to dodge at the moment, stood still and looked up, and soon, he saw that The "shooting star" that fell from the sky turned into a human form.
She is still a woman in golden battle armor, with a pair of golden wings stretched out behind her, like a god!
Shen Wu was deeply shocked by this scene, his eyes widened and his mouth opened wide, unable to utter a single word.
Shen Lang smiled, and raised his right hand to the woman in golden armor and golden wings.
Then, under Shen Wu's stunned and shocked gaze.
The golden armor and golden wings are also covered with a golden visor. Except for a pair of clear eyes, the woman who can't see her true face, a pair of golden wings with a wingspan of about ten feet suddenly spreads wide, as if made of gold, but also like gorgeous feathers condensed with light. Feather trembled slightly in the wind, sprinkled a little golden fluorescent light, and slowly stopped the rapidly falling figure.
After that, her feet were three feet off the ground, suspended in the air, her upper body slightly leaned forward, and stretched out her slender palms wearing golden gloves towards Shen Lang.
When he probed his hand, the golden gauntlet turned into a solution, and quickly retracted to the wrist armor, revealing the delicate jade-like, white-skinned skin on the fingers and palms, gently holding Shen Lang's hand.
Shen Wu, who was fed dog food all over his face, turned around silently very consciously.
[Ask for double monthly tickets~! 】
(End of this chapter)
"Shen Wu, this is Chief Shen Lang, Chief Shen of the God Detective Hall. Hurry up and greet Chief Shen."
Hearing Sect Master Zhou's words, the tall and heroic disciple Shen Wu was slightly startled, and bowed to Shen Lang:
"Shen Wu pays homage to Shen Butou. Shen Butou's reputation is as powerful as thunder, and seeing him today, his reputation is indeed well-deserved."
Prestige like thunder?
Dude, is it already famous all over the world?
Well, that should be it.
After He Wei and Feng Wei heard my name clearly, they were so frightened that they knelt down.
When the head of Zhou heard that I was coming to visit, he hurriedly took eight elders out to greet me, as if he was being raided by a big leader.
But judging from the reactions of He Wei, Feng Wei, Zhou Zhangmen and others, the reputation of my buddy is probably not very benevolent...
Shen Lang murmured in his heart, glanced at Shen Wu's expression and posture, and thought to himself:
I Shen Butou shocked the world, He and Feng were scared to kneel by my name, the head of Zhou was also a little too enthusiastic, and this kid Shen Wu claimed to be "like a thunderbolt" to my prestige, but his expression did not change, he was calm and calm. nothing……
Is it because he was the fool who dared to climb the iron chain and cross the Baizhang deep gorge when he was 13 years old?
Or, he doesn't do anything wrong and isn't afraid of ghosts knocking on the door?
or……
Has he been mentally prepared for the arrival of the head-hunter of the God-Catching Hall?
Now Shen Lang is also like an old catcher, beginning to habitually doubt everything, just because Shen Wu was too calm when facing him, he had some doubts in his heart, but of course his face remained calm, he only smiled slightly, said:
"You don't need to be too polite. Brother Shen is indeed the head disciple of the Wind Chaser Sect, and he really has the air of a master of Yuan Ting Yue Zhi."
Shen Wu said in a deep voice:
"Shen Butou should not be praised. Shen Butou is powerful in the world and famous all over the world. Who dares to boast of being a master in front of Shen Butou?"
Shen Lang chuckled, stopped talking nonsense, and went straight to the point:
"I came here today because I have a case that I need to ask your faction to assist in the investigation. Brother Shen, Cheng Xin, and Guan Yue, are you familiar with it?"
Shen Wudao:
"Of course. Junior Brother Cheng and Junior Sister Guan went to the mountain to learn art six years ago. Back then, I was responsible for receiving the junior juniors who were newcomers, so I got to know them. Afterwards, we often have contacts in the mountain gate."
Shen Lang nodded and asked again:
"Cheng Xin and Guan Yue graduated from Yicheng in July last year. They advanced to work in the Escort Bureau under the name of Chasing Fengpai. After finding a better way, they resigned from the Escort Bureau and went to work in Tongshan County. I heard that the way of Tongshan County , you introduced it?"
Shen Wu answered honestly:
"Junior Brother Cheng and Junior Sister Guan have been farmers for generations, but they don't have any land. They have to rent the land of a big family and are exploited by the big family. They each have several younger brothers and sisters, and their families are very poor.
"They work in the Escort Bureau under the name of my faction. Although they have no worries about food and clothing and can save some money, but if they want their parents, siblings to live a good life, it will not be possible in three to five years. So I Introduced them to a new job."
Shen Lang's heart moved, and he asked:
"It's not that they begged you to help them find a way out, but you took the initiative to introduce them to errands?"
Shen Wu said calmly:
"As the head disciple, it is my duty to help the younger brothers and younger sisters."
Hearing his words, all the elders nodded one after another, showing their approval.
Although the master Zhou didn't have any expression on his face, there was a hint of complacency in his eyes. Some of his disciples were fighting for their spirits, and I always felt a sense of comfort.
Shen Lang remained calm and said lightly:
"What errand did you introduce them to Tongshan County?"
Shen Wudao:
"It was to introduce them to work in the mine of Hu Yuanwai's family in Tongshan County..."
There have been many copper mines in Tongshan County since ancient times, and they have not been mined until today.
Of course, after many years of mining, the mines that are easy to mine have been excavated. The remaining mines are mostly in the deep mountains and old forests. monster.
From time to time, bandits and thieves fled the mountains.
The government thought that the mining costs of those mines were too high, so they outsourced them to the big households in Tongshan County.
Shen Wu happened to know a big family surnamed Hu who contracted the mine, so he introduced Cheng Xin and Guan Yue to work in the past, mainly responsible for maintaining the safety of the mining area, expelling strange beasts and monsters, and preventing bandits.
Although the work is a bit hard and dangerous, but the income is many times higher than working in the bodyguard bureau.
Cheng Xin and Guan Yue were very satisfied with this job, and they went to Tongshan County to work in September last year.
After listening to Shen Wu's narration, Shen Lang asked again:
"How did brother Shen get to know that member Hu?"
Shen Wudao: "This matter is quite a coincidence..."
Listening to his narration, his experience of getting acquainted with Yuanwai Hu was not an ordinary coincidence, but so coincidental that it was like a story in a storybook.
The year before last, Shen Wu traveled down the mountain, passing through Tongshan County, and met a flower picker who wanted to plot against a young girl.
There were a few guards beside the girl, but they were all mediocre in martial arts, so they were easily brought down by the flower picker.
However, when the flower picker was about to drag the girl into the grove to do whatever he wanted, Shen Wu, who happened to pass by, bumped into him, defeated the flower picker with several tricks, and saved the girl.
And that girl is the daughter of Hu Yuan's family in Tongshan County.
Shen Wu is tall and heroic, with extraordinary demeanor and strong martial arts. Although he was originally from a bad background, he is the head disciple of the largest sect in Wuyang Prefecture, and he will inherit the mantle of the sect in the future. It's low.
So when Shen Wu sent the flower picker to the Tongshan county government office and escorted Miss Hu's family back home, member Hu treated him very warmly, and his words seemed to mean marrying a daughter.
But Shen Wu was already at the fifth rank of martial arts at that time, and he was concentrating on attacking the fourth rank, and traveling down the mountain was also to accumulate for the attack on the fourth rank.Therefore, Yuanwai Hu's kindness was declined.
Hu Yuanwai is also open-minded, he didn't become angry because of this, and still regarded Shen Wu as a great benefactor.
With this level of relationship, Shen Wu handwritten a letter, introducing Cheng Xin and Guan Yue to work in the Hu family's mine, and Hu Yuanwai made arrangements readily.
After listening to this introduction, Shen Lang nodded calmly and asked:
"When will the Hu family mine be on vacation before the Chinese New Year? When will it resume work after the new year?"
Shen Wu slightly hesitated:
"This... I don't know how the Hu family mines take their holidays during the New Year's Eve. However, according to the customs of the prefecture, folk workshops, factories and mines, they usually have 25 days off before the beginning of the year, and they will not go to work until the tenth day of the Lunar New Year."
Shen Lang stroked his chin, thoughtfully.
He and his elder sister returned to the capital from Xianwu Mountain, and found the victim of the Four-winged Demon Owl on the way, it was the sixth day of the Lunar New Year.Judging from the condition of Cheng Xin's and Guan Yue's bodies, they had not died for more than two days, so they must have been killed on the fourth or fifth day of the lunar new year.
If Tongshan County's New Year's customs are the same as those in Fucheng, then Cheng Xin and Guan Yue should have celebrated the New Year at their respective homes when they were killed.
But Venerable Liuli concluded that they last appeared in Tongshan County.
In other words, Cheng Xin and Guan Yue didn't go home during the Chinese New Year vacation, but were still stranded in Tongshan County?
However, judging from the family backgrounds of Cheng and Guan, and their eagerness to help and improve their families, during the Chinese New Year, they should bring home the salary they earned last year, so that the family can have a good year.
So, Cheng and Guan went home to celebrate the new year, and they couldn't wait to return to Tongshan County on the first and second day of the new year?
After pondering for a while, Shen Lang looked at Shen Wu and said:
"Brother Shen, do you know where Cheng Xin's and Guan Yue's are?"
Shen Wu nodded:
"I know. It's in Pingpo Township, less than fifty miles away from Fucheng."
"Okay then, please ask Brother Shen to accompany me to Pingpo Township." Shen Lang stood up and looked at Sect Leader Zhou: "Sect Leader Zhou, it's okay to borrow your eldest disciple to help me investigate the case, right?"
The head of Zhou also got up quickly, smiling all over his face:
"Of course there is no problem. It is Shen Wu's blessing to assist Shen Butou in investigating the case."
Shen Lang bowed his hands to the head of Zhou:
"That's it, thank you, head of Zhou, for your kind hospitality. Mr. Shen is busy with business, so I won't bother you, and I will leave."
After finishing speaking, he bowed his hands to the elders and strode out of the door.
Head Zhou and all the elders hurriedly got up to see him off, not only sent him out of the mountain gate lobby, but also sent him all the way to the cable bridge in the deep gorge, and even wanted to send him down the mountain, but Shen Lang repeatedly discouraged him. Only then stopped in front of the cable bridge and watched Shen Lang and Shen Wu cross the bridge and leave.
After the two disappeared, an elder whispered:
"Master, Shen Wu is assisting Chief Shen in handling the case this time, if he can be favored by Chief Shen, he will join the Hall of Gods..."
Head Zhou put his hands behind his back and said lightly:
"Join the Shenchuitang? Shenchuitang has a very good reputation among the common people, but in the Jianghu martial arts world, it has a mixed reputation. As for the officialdom... Hey, that's a god-hating ghost! It is said that even the emperor doesn't like to see him." them.
"After entering the God's Catch Hall, don't even think about being promoted and making a fortune. Bloody winds and cold swords are always by your side. In short, those who can continue to work in the God's Catch Hall are not normal people."
The foreign affairs elder sighed:
"The leader is right. Many people in Jianghu said that all the people in God's Catch Hall are lunatics. But there are also many people in Jianghu who say that everyone in God's Catch Hall is a hero. As for Who are they, then the beholder sees benevolence, and the wise see wisdom."
Master Zhou chuckled:
"In short, Shen Wu is neither a madman, nor can he be a hero like everyone in the God of Catching Hall. Occasionally encountering a rough road, reaching out to do something good is already very good.
"Let's don't think about getting in touch with God's Catching Hall. When Yan Tianying, the 'leader of the heroes', is here, God's Catching Hall will naturally be majestic, but what if Yan Tianying ascends in the future?
"Without Yan Tianying, relying on the three evil stars... oh, now there are the four evil stars. With the four evil stars alone, the Shenchuitang can still withstand the hatred of the civil and military courts, and even the nobles of the royal family. Will it continue to exist? I see Xuan!"
……
Shen Lang and Shen Wu performed lightness kung fu and quickly descended Xiaoyue Mountain, and then headed towards Pingpo Township under Shen Wu's lead.
On the way, Shen Wu asked:
"Catcher Shen, what happened to my Junior Brother Cheng and Junior Sister Guan?"
Shen Lang said lightly:
"They are dead."
"Dead?" Shen Wu was startled, and lost his voice: "How could this be?"
He asked again in an almost questioning tone:
"How did they die? But killed? Who killed them?"
Shen Lang glanced at Shen Wu out of the corner of his eye, and said in a flat tone:
"I'm checking."
"..."
Shen Wu's face was ugly, he was silent for a while, and then said shyly:
"Sorry, Chief Shen, Shen lost his composure."
Shen Lang's tone was calm, without any disturbance:
"It doesn't matter, it's human nature for Brother Shen to lose his composure because of the murder of a sibling from the same sect."
Shen Wu was silent for a while, and said:
"Junior Brother Cheng and Junior Sister Guan were murdered, Yuanwai Hu didn't tell me."
Shen Lang said lightly:
"If Tongshan County didn't resume work until the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, Cheng and Guan should have been on a New Year's holiday when they were killed. Today is only the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, and it is not yet the day to resume work. The Hu family may not know that Cheng The official and the official have been killed and disappeared."
Shen Wu asked:
"Where were Junior Brother Cheng and Junior Sister Guan killed? Why did they alarm the Hall of Gods?"
The manpower of Shenzhutang is extremely limited, so ordinary homicide cases are basically only handled in the nearest capital city.
Ordinary homicides in the locality generally do not involve the God of Labor.
When the head catchers of the Shenchuitang come out of Beijing, it is basically because of a major case, or some vicious, cruel and cunning criminals who cannot be determined in the place of arrest.
For a local sect like the Wind Chasing Sect, two ordinary disciples died, and the case could reach the government office level at most.
Recently, the "Cold-Blooded Rentu", who has become famous in the Jianghu, went to Beijing to investigate the murder of Cheng Xin and Guan Yue. Shen Wu felt that this case might not be simple.
"The case is confidential, so it's inconvenient to say it clearly."
Shen Lang said lightly:
"As for why the Shencatching Hall was alarmed, I can only say that it coincided with the meeting."
Shen Wu sighed and said:
"Junior brother and younger sister were murdered, and I felt grief and indignation in my heart. I took the liberty to inquire about the secrets, and hoped that Shen catcher Haihan."
"It's nothing. Brother Shen has a deep brotherhood, how can Shen blame him?"
After chatting casually along the way, Shen Lang fell silent and concentrated on his journey.
Shen Wu has a fourth-rank entry-level cultivation, and is a disciple of the head of the Chasing Wind School who specializes in lightness kung fu and legwork. Cheng Xinjia.
Cheng Xin's house is a small farmyard surrounded by woods, with earthen walls, thatched roofs, and bamboo fences. It looks really poor.
When Shen Lang followed Shen Wu to the outside of the yard, a little girl with slightly dark skin and a thin body, wearing a brand new large red padded jacket and tied with a red string, was feeding chickens in the yard.
When she saw Shen Lang through the fence, the little girl's eyes clearly showed a hint of timidity, but when she saw Shen Wu, she suddenly became happy, put down the dustpan and came to open the door:
"Brother, why are you here?"
Shen Wu introduced to Shen Lang:
"This is Cheng Xin's younger sister, Cheng Qiao'er. I have visited here twice with Cheng Xin before. The Cheng family members all recognize me, and Cheng Xin's younger siblings also call me Senior Brother."
While speaking, Cheng Qiaoer had come over and opened the courtyard door, welcomed Shen Wu and Shen Lang in enthusiastically, then ran to the front of the main room and shouted:
"Father, Mother, Second Brother, Third Brother, Second Sister, Senior Brother is here!"
Soon, the door of the main room was opened, and a large family came out, all wearing brand new padded jackets, but two thin boys who looked thirteen, fourteen, twelve or thirteen, and a thin girl of fourteen or fifteen , The padded jackets on her body are all one size too big.
Cheng Xin's parents were honest old farmers, and they would kowtow to Shen Wu when they came out.
Shen Wu quickly helped him up, and said repeatedly:
"No way! Junior brother Cheng and I are of the same generation, uncles and aunts are my elders, how dare I accept such a great gift?"
With wrinkled face, dark skin, and gray hair, Father Cheng, who looked like a little old man in his 60s, was speechless.The same old, but more eloquent mother Cheng said gratefully:
"Thanks to the big brother who found a good way for Xin'er and made a lot of money, our family can pay off the loan. After a good year, we made new cotton clothes for the second and third children, and ate pork dumplings. ...
"If there is no elder brother's kindness, how can our family live such a good life? The elder brother is my family's great benefactor, and I have to kowtow to the elder brother! The second, the third, Li'er, Qiao'er, why don't you give it to the elder brother?" Brother kowtow?"
The little ones hurriedly accepted their heads and bowed. Shen Wu hurriedly waved his hand, and lifted them up with an invisible wave of air. With complicated eyes, he forced a smile and said:
"You don't have to be so polite...I, I just happened to pass by Pingpo Township, so I stopped by to see you. Where's Cheng Xin? It's Chinese New Year, why isn't he at home?"
Mother Cheng smiled and said:
"Xin'er only came home on the 28th of last year. He helped pay off the debts, bought new year's goods, put up the fence, mended the roof, and went out on the first day of the new year."
Shen Wuqi said:
"Go out on the first day of junior high school? Why do you have to leave so early?"
Mother Cheng replied:
"Xin'er said that the boss will start work on the second day of junior high school, so he has to go to work earlier. Although he said that it is a bit unreasonable to start work on the New Year's Eve, but the salary offered by the boss is generous. During the New Year's Day, the daily salary is [-]% Three times the usual amount, Xin'er wants to earn more money and build a big house for the family..."
Speaking of this, a proud smile appeared on her face, but her eyes were a little red, and there were faint tears in the corners of her eyes. It was obvious that she was not only proud of Da'er's sensible and capable, but also felt sorry for Da'er's hard work.
With Shen Lang's soft heart, he couldn't bear to watch this scene, so he turned and left the yard.
Shen Wu also smiled very reluctantly, his voice was a little weak, and he tried to talk to Cheng's mother who didn't know anything.
Shen Lang walked out of the fenced yard, turned his back to the gate of Cheng's courtyard, and raised his eyes to look at the mountains in the distance. The voice of Shen Wu talking to Cheng's mother from behind came to his ears from time to time.
"Eldest brother, that senior...why did he go out? But we neglected him?"
When she said this, Cheng Mu's voice sounded a little panicked.
"No. That Brother Shen is not from our wind chasing faction, but a friend I met in Jianghu. I don't know Junior Brother Cheng... He is a bit cold-tempered, or he can't stand your enthusiasm, haha, actually I don't know I can't stand it...By the way, did Cheng Xin come back with Guan Yue?"
"That's right. Xin'er and Yue'er came back together, and they also left together. The official's side, thanks to the elder brother's blessing, paid off the debts, bought new year's goods, and everyone, big and small, put on new clothes. The two of them went up to the mountain to study art together, and they also came out to do things together after they were successful... We discussed it with the old man from the official family. At the end of this year, when they go home for the New Year, they will take care of their affairs..."
Hearing this, Shen Lang couldn't help walking a little further.
After a while, Cheng's father, Cheng's mother, and Cheng's younger brothers and sisters came from behind to stay:
"Eldest brother, let's go after dinner! Today we will eat leek pork dumplings, and pancakes with meat..."
"Brother, don't go, tell us the story of martial arts."
"Brother, this is the handkerchief I embroidered..."
When Shen Wu bid farewell to the Cheng family, he still had a smile on his face, but as soon as he left the sight of everyone in the Cheng family and came to Shen Lang's side, the smile on his face disappeared without a trace, and he said in a dark voice:
"Shen Butou, I have a merciless request..."
Shen Lang said lightly:
"Since it's an unfeeling request, don't say it."
Shen Wu was stunned, a flash of anger flashed in his eyes:
"I just want to avenge my younger brothers and younger sisters. Why is Catcher Shen so unkind? You've seen it too, the Cheng family..."
"You don't need to say more." Shen Lang interrupted him, with a calm face and a flat tone: "You can't afford to meddle in the case that the Shenchaotang intervened, and you can't afford to meddle with the entire Wind Chaser."
"..."
Shen Wu clenched his hands into fists, his eyes were red, he gritted his teeth for a while, and finally sighed dejectedly, and said sadly:
"Shen Butou is right, I have overestimated my capabilities."
Shen Lang raised his hand and patted his shoulder:
"Don't be depressed. Assisting me in investigating the case and finding clues is also avenging Cheng Xin and Guan Yue."
Shen Wu nodded, raised his hand to wipe his face, pulled himself together, and said:
"Do you want to go to the official's house next?"
In fact, during this trip to Cheng's house, he had already asked Shen Lang what he wanted to know.
But in order to ensure that the news was correct, Shen Lang followed Shen Wu to the official's house and saw a scene he couldn't bear to see.
The news from the official family was the same as that of the Cheng family. Guan Yue went out on the first day of the Lunar New Year and returned to Tongshan County with Cheng Xin to start work.
When he left the official residence, Shen Wu's face became more gloomy, and his eyes became more depressed.
Shen Lang didn't say anything, he left Pingpo Township and headed towards Tongshan County.
Shen Wu followed silently for a while, then suddenly said:
"Boss Shen, I think there is something wrong with the Hu family."
"Oh? What do you think?"
"I entrusted Cheng Xin and Guan Yue to Hu Yuanwai, and Hu Yuanwai also promised to take good care of them, but since the work started in the second day of junior high school, Junior Brother Cheng and Junior Sister Guan should have returned to Tongshan long ago. They were killed, and Hu Why didn't the staff know me?"
"The bodies of Cheng and Guan are not in Tongshan County."
"But that's also missing! Member Hu should inform me!"
"It may also be that they just returned to Tongshan County, and they disappeared on the way before entering the mine to report. Mr. Hu didn't know that the two of them had returned to Tongshan."
Although Cheng and Guan died on the fourth or fifth day of the lunar new year, it doesn't mean that they disappeared on those two days.
It may also be that he was taken away when he returned to Tongshan on the first day of the new year, locked up for a few days, and was not fed to the four-winged owl until the fourth or fifth day of the new year.
"But the two of them didn't go to work in the second day of junior high school. Don't Hu Yuanwai think it's strange?"
"Maybe it's because they went to work during the New Year's Eve, all voluntarily? They didn't go to work. Mr. Hu thought they wanted to spend the New Year with their families and didn't want to earn three times the salary? And now it's not the day to start work normally, Mr. Hu thought Are they still celebrating the New Year at home?"
"What Shen Butou means is that there is nothing wrong with Mr. Hu?"
As Shen Lang hurried on his way like lightning, he said lightly:
"No, I'm just listing the possibilities."
Is Mr. Hu suspected?
The suspicion is too great!
Ke Shenwu is also suspected.
But Shen Lang would not arbitrarily conclude that there was something wrong with Shen Wu, he also had to list out various possibilities to rule out Shen Wu's suspicion.
"When I arrived in Tongshan County, I personally went to question Yuanwai Hu. If he has any questions, just ask!"
"No. Let's not go to Yuanwai Hu."
Shen Wu was stunned: "Why?"
Shen Lang said: "If he insists that he didn't see Cheng Xin and Guan Yue, how will you treat him?"
Shen Wu refused to accept: "He is an ordinary person, how dare he lie in front of us? Even if he lies, he will never be able to hide it from me!"
Ordinary people lie, even if they don't change their face, their heartbeat and pulse will change.
With the entry-level martial arts cultivation base of the fourth grade of Shenwu, it is impossible to hide the subtle changes in the heartbeat and pulse of ordinary people under his concentrated perception.
Shen Lang said lightly: "If he was really related to the deaths of Cheng Xin and Guan Yue, then he would not be an ordinary person."
If Hu Yuanwai is related to the deaths of Cheng and Guan, then he is related to the murderer who raised the Four-winged Demon Owl. How could he be just an ordinary person?
Shen Wu was at a loss for words for a moment, fell silent for a while, and said in a muffled voice:
"If we don't ask Mr. Hu to question, we went to Tongshan, where should we start?"
Shen Lang said: "Go to the Hu family mine first. Do you know where the Hu family mine is?"
"The year before last, I rescued Miss Hu's family. When I was drinking and chatting with member Hu, I heard him mention it. But I only know the approximate location."
"It's good to know the approximate location. It's such a big mine, it's not difficult to find. It starts on the second day of the Lunar New Year... Heh, the miners earn all their lives. They work hard in the mine for a whole year with their heads in their hands, and they finally make money. , It’s the time to reunite with your family, rest and relax, and enjoy the harvest of the year, but you are willing to give up your annual leave and start working early? How much is three times the daily salary?”
Shen Wu's expression changed:
"What Shen Butou means is... the miners are not free agents?"
Shen Lang said lightly: "Maybe."
At dusk, the two rushed to Tongshan County, and first walked around the county.
After visiting the county seat, the two left the county seat and went into the mountains in the dark.
On the way, Shen Lang asked Shen Wu:
"How do you feel about Tongshan County?"
Shen Wudao:
"Clean and tidy. The streets are a bit colder, but it's normal. Today is only the seventh day of the Lunar New Year. There are many fewer people on the streets of Fucheng than usual, let alone a small county town?"
Shen Lang said:
"Didn't you feel that there is something missing in the urban wells of Tongshan County?"
"What's missing?" Shen Wu frowned and pondered for a while, then suddenly he had a flash of inspiration: "That's right! There are almost no beggars and refugees on the streets of the county town!"
Normally, however, this is not possible.
Every time around the New Year’s Eve, a large number of peasants would be forced to sell their sons and daughters because they could not pay their debts, and even their house land would be confiscated, reducing them to beggars and refugees.
This situation was only less in the 20 years before the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Twenty years after the founding of the Great Chu, such situations have become more and more common, and it is not uncommon to see them now.
Shen Wu was a refugee beggar, and he knew very well that a large number of bankrupt farmers would join the ranks of beggars and refugees during the Spring Festival.
During the Chinese New Year, there are a lot of leftovers from rich families, and the tattered clothes have to be cleaned up.Some rich families even steam steamed white flour steamed buns and distribute them to beggars.
Therefore, in the city, near the streets and alleys where rich families live, there are often many beggars and refugees gathering, waiting for opportunities.
But this Tongshan County is too strange.
Didn't see any beggars and refugees?
"In places like Tongshan County where there are many mines, there are no beggars and refugees on the streets."
Shen Lang smiled and said:
"Those who dare to go to the mine to work their lives will take the initiative to find work in the mine. Those who dare not go to the mine will be forced to go to the mine. The most wonderful thing is that no matter whether they are voluntary or not, as long as they go to the mine, they can squeeze as much as they want. There is no need to pay, let alone New Year's Eve. Who told them to be beggars and refugees without roots?"
Not to mention using beggars and refugees as mine slaves, even foreigners from good families, or even locals with no background, may be abducted or even forced to become mine slaves if they run into black kilns.
This kind of thing is not uncommon even on the earth in the 21st century, let alone this different world in the era of imperial power?
The corners of Shen Wu's eyes twitched slightly, he hesitated to speak.
Shen Lang glanced at him and said lightly:
"Are you thinking that Cheng Xin and Guan Yue went to work in the mine, not as they said, but to drive away wild beasts, fierce beasts, and bandits? There are also tasks to suppress and guard the miners? Are they doing things for tigers? Introducing them When you went to work in the mine, you also indirectly helped the tiger?"
Shen Wu was silent for a while, and said in a muffled voice:
"Catcher Shen is as sharp as a torch. I really... didn't expect such a possibility. But Junior Brother Cheng and Junior Sister Guan are honest people, how could it be..."
Shen Lang said leisurely:
"I remember, Cheng's mother said something, she said that Cheng Xin 'made a lot of money'. Cheng Xin only went to work in the mine in September, right? When he returned home before the Chinese New Year, he worked hard for only three months.
"Even if Hu Yuanwai looks at your face and pays him a very high salary, how do you start with 'making a lot of money'? You can pay off the loan, buy new year's goods, and even plan to save money to repair the big house..."
Shen Wu said:
"Uncles and aunts of the Cheng family have never seen money much in their entire lives. To them... a few hundred coppers may be a lot of money, and ten silver dollars may be a huge sum of money... Tenant borrowing, even if it is a donkey rolling, how much can they owe?" money?
"I really have to owe a lot of money. Cheng Xin's younger brothers and sisters have already been sold. The new year's purchases... are just some padded jackets and pork... Besides, the big house, the farmer's repair of the big house, doesn't cost much money. ..."
Shen Lang smiled and patted Shen Wu on the shoulder:
"You are a good big brother. But there are some things that cannot be explained in this way.
"Do you think that the Cheng family must sell their sons and daughters because they owe the donkey to roll? You are wrong. The eldest son of the Cheng family is practicing martial arts in the Chasing Wind Sect, and he still does not have to pay tuition fees, and he has become a disciple of true martial arts. With Cheng Xin here, the Cheng family The debt will be repaid sooner or later.
"The creditor is eager for the Cheng family to borrow more debts and pay more interest. How can he kill chickens and get eggs? He is so eager to drag Cheng Xin's younger brothers and sisters to pay off the debts? Not to mention not making much money, but also offending a disciple of the Wind Chaser Sect. Why bother?" what?
"Let's talk about the 'big house'. Do you think what Cheng Xin wants to build is an ordinary big house with earthen walls, or a deep house with green bricks and green tiles, and a deep courtyard in Shishi town gate?"
Shen Wu's head was covered with cold sweat, and he said in a low voice:
"I, I don't know..."
Shen Lang smiled again:
"What I'm talking about is just a possibility. Maybe things are not as I said. Maybe Cheng Xin and Guan Yue are just guarding against wild beasts and bandits in the mine. For the specific situation, wait until the mine and see for yourself. to be sure."
Shen Wu remained silent, but he believed Shen Lang's conjecture [-] to [-]% in his heart.
After walking forward in the mountains for a while, Shen Wu suddenly said:
"If Junior Brother Cheng and Junior Sister Guan are really working for tigers...Why does Catcher Shen work so hard to investigate the death of the two of them?"
"One yard owned by a yard."
Shen Lang said lightly:
"Even if Cheng Xin and Guan Yue did something wrong as I speculated, they are at most just accomplices. They are still young and their participation time is short, at most three months. As long as they don't kill innocent miners indiscriminately, they are not guilty of capital crimes." , there is room for redemption, and they should be given a chance to reform. If so, they should not die for no reason."
Especially if someone fed it to monsters and was hit by Shen Lang, then he must take care of it to the end.
After hearing Shen Lang's words, Shen Wu couldn't help being a little surprised:
Chief Shen, you are a famous "cold-blooded butcher". It is said that if you fall into your hands, if you can get a whole corpse, it is considered that your ancestors have accumulated great virtues. Do you want to be so hearted as a bodhisattva?
Or is it that the title "Cold-Blooded Human Massacre" is just a smear by his enemies?
It's just that those who are not righteous, have ghosts in their hearts, and fear the gods, are spreading rumors and slandering?
Anyway, Shen Wu had been in contact with Shen Lang for most of the day, so he didn't believe the rumors about Shen Lang's "cold blood".
How could a cold-blooded person rush from the capital to Wuyang Mansion for two people who had nothing to do with him, go to Xiaoyue Mountain without even eating a meal, and then rush to the countryside to investigate?
When it was over, I didn't even drink tea, so I walked for more than 100 miles, and then came to Tongshan County. I walked around the county town without eating a meal or drinking a glass of wine, and went straight out of the city and into the mountains in the dark?
Is this a cold-blooded person?
This is clearly a chivalrous man who is eager for justice!
It's no wonder that although many people in the Jianghu said that God's Catching Church is full of lunatics and ruthless evil stars, there are also many people who praise God's Catching Church as a hero, and the reputation of the people is overwhelmingly praised.
With a headhunter like Shen Lang who is anxious and righteous, Shen Wu almost knows what the quality of the Shencatching Hall is.
Exercising lightness kung fu in the mountains and forests, and walking through the dark for half an hour, the two of them had gone deep into the deep mountains and old forests.
At this time, Shen Wu suddenly pointed to a mountain and said:
"Iron Helmet Mountain! The Hu Family Mine is nearby."
Shen Lang raised his eyes and saw that the top of the mountain looked like a pair of pointed helmets. Even in the night, the shape was very obvious and could be recognized at a glance.
"There is no cattle and horse road in the mountains here. The Hu family should have transported the mine out by boat. If you find the river, you can find the Hu family's mine."
Soon, the two found a small river with a width of more than three feet and a depth of about seven feet. They followed the small river for a while and found a wharf piled with a large amount of ore.
There are only ores around the pier, and there are no ships, so no one is guarding it. The two left the pier and walked along a concave track for a while, before they came to a valley.
There is a small castle built in Taniguchi, the lights are bright inside, and the noise of people can be heard faintly. It sounds like several people are playing games and drinking.
Shen Lang lightly tapped the center of his eyebrows, scanned the small castle and its vicinity with mental power, and said lightly:
"There are people in the building. There are five people in total, all of whom are warriors, three of the seventh rank and two of the sixth rank."
Shen Wu glanced at Shen Lang in astonishment, it was still about ten feet away, everyone was in the building, and no one could see their shadows, it was no problem for Shen Butou to find out their number, but he actually judged it instantly Has their martial arts cultivation been compromised?
It is indeed a "cold-blooded slaughter" worth as much as 20 silver dollars on the black market!
Secretly admiring this young arrester who was several years younger than himself, Shen Wu said in a low voice:
"Do you want to restrain those five people?"
"No. There is no need to alarm them, we will sneak in directly."
Shen Lang said softly, just about to step in, when he suddenly stopped.
Shen Wu hurriedly asked: "Catcher Shen, but what's wrong?"
Shen Lang shook his head: "Someone is coming to find me, let's go back to the pier first."
As he spoke, he waved his hand, turned around and returned the same way.
Shen Wu only felt that when Shen Lang raised his hand, it seemed to release something, but even with his eyesight he couldn't see what it was, only felt that it seemed to be a translucent shadow.
He didn't dare to ask what Shen Lang had released, so he quickly followed and said softly:
"Is the person here also an expert from the God of Catching Hall?"
A smile appeared on the corner of Shen Lang's mouth:
"Yes, someone taller than me."
The sword talisman on his body was vibrating and heating up, counting the time, at this time, it should be Mu Qingxue who contacted him with Wanfa's sword talisman.
And Shen Wu heard that another expert who was taller than Shen Toutou came, and he was awe-inspiring, but he also felt that the deaths of Cheng Xin and Guan Yue were not simple. Fengpai can't afford it either.
He didn't ask who came, and followed Shen Lang back to the pier, and saw Shen Lang take out a sword-shaped jade talisman with a faint white light, looked down for a while, put the jade talisman away, and went to the edge of the pier He found a stone and sat down, smiled and said to him:
"Sit down and rest for a while, and you have to wait for half an hour."
Shen Wu sat down as he said.
Shen Lang took out another gourd, and threw a stack of pancakes with meat to him:
"Follow me to the present, and I haven't had any water or rice for most of the day. Brother Shen is also working hard. Eat and drink first to fill your stomach."
Shen Wu didn't know where he got these things from, and he didn't dare to ask more. He took the gourd and pancakes, thanked them, and started to eat and drink.
Shen Lang also took out a wine gourd, a stack of pancakes with meat, ate a piece of cake, and took a sip of wine.
After eating and drinking enough, he meditated and adjusted his breath for a while. Suddenly, Shen Lang raised his head and looked into the sky.
Shen Wu also looked into the sky with him, and saw a golden shooting star flashing across the night sky.
Then, the meteor became bigger and bigger, and it fell straight towards where he and Shen Lang were.
Shen Wu was startled, and shouted in a low voice: "There is a meteorite!"
Just as he was about to dodge, he saw Shen Lang motionless, with a smile on his lips, looking at the meteor that was getting closer.
Shen Wu is a bold person, seeing Shen Lang not moving, he knew that this "falling stone" might be different from what he had imagined, so he was not in a hurry to dodge at the moment, stood still and looked up, and soon, he saw that The "shooting star" that fell from the sky turned into a human form.
She is still a woman in golden battle armor, with a pair of golden wings stretched out behind her, like a god!
Shen Wu was deeply shocked by this scene, his eyes widened and his mouth opened wide, unable to utter a single word.
Shen Lang smiled, and raised his right hand to the woman in golden armor and golden wings.
Then, under Shen Wu's stunned and shocked gaze.
The golden armor and golden wings are also covered with a golden visor. Except for a pair of clear eyes, the woman who can't see her true face, a pair of golden wings with a wingspan of about ten feet suddenly spreads wide, as if made of gold, but also like gorgeous feathers condensed with light. Feather trembled slightly in the wind, sprinkled a little golden fluorescent light, and slowly stopped the rapidly falling figure.
After that, her feet were three feet off the ground, suspended in the air, her upper body slightly leaned forward, and stretched out her slender palms wearing golden gloves towards Shen Lang.
When he probed his hand, the golden gauntlet turned into a solution, and quickly retracted to the wrist armor, revealing the delicate jade-like, white-skinned skin on the fingers and palms, gently holding Shen Lang's hand.
Shen Wu, who was fed dog food all over his face, turned around silently very consciously.
[Ask for double monthly tickets~! 】
(End of this chapter)
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